FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association
PHONE: 256.350.3500 / 800.648.5381
EMAIL: info@northalabama.org

Watermelon Capital of Alabama Offers Free Fruity Fun

Decatur, Ala. – Plenty of sweet juicy fun is on tap the third weekend in August when summer’s favorite fruit takes center stage during the annual Watermelon Festival in Russellville, Ala. Set for August 20-21, 2021, the Watermelon Festival offers arts and crafts, a variety of watermelon contests, car and truck show, tractor show, food vendors, children’s activities, games and musical entertainment, along with free samples of watermelon.

The festival weekend begins with opening ceremonies at 5:45 p.m. on Friday with live music taking the stage both days beginning at 6 p.m. Additional free local entertainment can be found on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Historic Roxy Theatre.

Friday, Aug. 20 Music Lineup
5:45 PM – Opening Ceremony (National Anthem: Madeline Cooper)
6:00 PM – Tremayne
7:00 PM – REWIND of the Shoals 
8:30 PM – Shootin’ You Straight

Saturday, Aug. 21 Music Lineup 
6:00 PM – Kerry Gilbert Band
7:00 PM – Joseph Baldwin Band
8:30 PM – The Ultimate Garth Brooks Tribute featuring Shawn Gerhard

Contests centered on watermelons, including watermelon seed spitting, the largest melon, best tasting melon, most unusual and best-dressed melons, are a highlight each year entertaining festivalgoers of all ages. Over 100 vehicles are expected for the car and truck show on Friday night and Saturday morning, and additional activities include a 5K run and 1-mile fun run, character guests to entertain the children and the Franklin County Extension Office contests.

The event was voted Best Adults and Children’s Events in the Tennessee Valley in a reader’s choice poll conducted by the Franklin County Times earlier this year.

All activities take place along Main Street (Jackson Avenue). Hours are 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday. Admission is free. For more details, visit the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce website at www.franklincountychamber.org and click on the Watermelon Festival link or call 256.332.1760. For the latest information, like the Franklin County Watermelon Festival page on Facebook.

About Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association (AMLA)
AMLA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the promotion and development of the travel industry within the 16 northernmost counties of the state.  It is supported by 500-plus members consisting of chambers of commerce, Convention & Visitors Bureaus, attractions, campgrounds, festivals, communities, counties, golf courses, restaurants, tour operators, accommodations, vendors, financial institutions and individuals.  Counties included within the AMLA region are Blount, Cherokee, Colbert, Cullman, DeKalb, Etowah, Franklin, Jackson, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Marion, Marshall, Morgan, and Winston. Additional information on North Alabama destinations, accommodations, and special events is available from the AMLA by calling 800.648.5381 or by visiting their web site at www.northalabama.org.  

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